Behind The Debates: Style Over Substance

NBC’s “Today” this morning examined what goes on behind the scenes at the debates. Rather than focus on politics, the focus was on the stagecraft. Everything from the ties the candidates wear to the meal they eat beforehand to the zingers that they say “off the cuff” are plotted out in advance.

WATCH:

Elsewhere, the St Louis Post-Dispatch writes about Anheuser-Busch, which plays a key role as the corporate sponsor of the debates. What’s that? You didn’t know that these stalwart elements of democracy had corporate sponsors? Well, they do:

“We really believe the debates are a critical part of the political process,” said A-B InBev spokeswoman Christine Czernejewski. “They provide voters with a lot of information about the candidates, and we’re really proud to be a part of it.”

A-B has been involved in the debates since 1992, when Washington University was hosting one and asked the brewer for help. A-B agreed, and has been an official sponsor since 1996. It’s not like sponsoring the Fiesta Bowl; these aren’t the “Anheuser-Busch InBev Presidential Debates.” The brewer’s involvement is more subtle. But it’s there.